“Hawkeye” by Mitzi Bernard
A little bit about Mitzi:
Hello, my name is Mitzi Bernard. Thank you for looking at my art! I am a closet collage artist working primarily with 70’s and 80’s Playboy Magazine cutouts. I incorporate other paper and acrylic paint in the pieces as well. My art speaks to the strength and power of women, their incredible beauty and society’s value judgements.
My art would definitely be considered “outsider” art. It’s not what one would normally think of when talking fine art, yet that’s exactly the point of my art, and that’s to find beauty in places we may have “judged” differently, whether it be my different kind of art, or our judgements of others, particularly women.
Each piece is uniquely its own with its own message containing hundreds of tiny little paper cutouts with each glued on individually. I love the flow and beauty of the female shape. Each work takes me over 200 hours to complete with Playboy Stanley taking over two years! From afar each work looks like a painting. It’s only when you get up close and see the detail that you’re shocked to discover that it’s not paint at all but Playboy magazine cutouts.
Where to find Mitzi:
Web: mitzibernardclosetart.com
Instagram: @mitzi_bernard_closet_art
1. How did you first discover your interest in art?
I have always been interested in art. I have always loved drawing, painting, sculpting and telling a story with images. My mom was an artist and she had me involved in lots of art projects for as far back as I can remember.
2. What was the first work of art/artist you remember being excited about?
When I was a kid, I was always drawing horses. I was one of those girls who was obsessed with horses. I drew them constantly. I would picture them everywhere. I would draw them living in our house, drew them sitting in church, running along side the car, walking me to the bus stop. I am lucky enough now as an adult to be able to live with them. Could finally stop visualizing them everywhere since they’re now in front of me a good part of the day. I don’t visualize them living in the house with me anymore but see them living in the barn a few feet away!
3. What was your dream job as a child?
I wanted to be an art teacher or a social worker and help people. I found happiness with helping others and not so much in money or things.
4. Did you have an art mentor?
Yes, I had a sculpting teacher in college who believed in me and encouraged me to pursue my interest in art. Her belief in me helped me believe in myself.
5. What is the one art supply or tool that brings you the most joy?
Each piece of my art that I create must have a story. I’m not sure why, but it’s the motivation for the piece. I can’t create anything without it having its own reason for being. I like telling the story. My art tells the stories of my life and what I find of value in life, like honesty, societal judgments, responsibilities, strength, deception and mostly relating to women’s challenges and strengths.
6. What’s the last movie or book you really enjoyed?
I loved reading David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants by Malcom Gladwell. I’ve always wanted the underdog to win and this book gives so many wonderful, real life examples. Love thinking that all have a chance of success, no matter who we are.
7. What kind of music (if any) do you listen to while creating art?
I love listening to music while I’m creating. The music I choose depends on the art and the message I want to convey.
“Female Fury” by Mitzi Bernard
Sometimes it goes along with the story of the piece. I painted a big fish for my friends who live in Florida and named him Oscar. Oscar was the lost brother of the Avitt Brothers and he had bubbles coming out of his mouth as he sang along with the Avitt Brothers music. I listened to the them and similar music when Oscar was born. Oscar still lives in their living room and sings to them and the fish in the bay outside of their home.
“ScarFace” by Mitzi Bernard
8. What advice would you give to someone just starting their art journey?
Pursue no matter what life brings. Believe in yourself. Tell your story.
9. Are you a night owl or early bird?
I like to get up early and get started. I try my best to enjoy each moment. Lessons learned in life have helped me to understand that each moment needs to be treasured. I’m not always good at that, but I try my best to get up early and appreciate the moments I’m given.
10. How long does it take you to feel finished with a piece of art, and how do you decide it’s done?
Knowing when a piece is finished is hard for me. Each piece takes so long and I get so obsessed with each little detail that minutes, hours, days, weeks and months can go by. Playboy Stanley took me two years…. And I work so closely and so long on each piece that it becomes almost like another being to me, my friend or even someone I’d like to have as a friend, and then I hate to say goodbye. I’m pretty sure there’s a mental health diagnosis that goes along with this.
11. How would you describe your art in three words?
Detailed. Different. Meaningful.
12. What fictional person do you want to meet the most?
I’d like to give you a woman but the person who keeps coming to mind is Atticus Finch from Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of 1960, To Kill a Mockingbird. Atticus had the strength of character to do the right thing in the face adversity. He wasn’t afraid. Would love to talk to him.
13. What’s your favorite and least favorite thing about being an artist?
I love getting lost in my art. It’s therapy for me. I forget who I am. Turn my music on and just get lost in it. My least favorite part of being an artist is marketing. I’m super terrible at it and have to force myself to actively market. I’m uncomfortable putting myself out there for judgement.
14. If you could only create art of one subject for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I love creating anything that has eyes. Eyes for me are truly the window into the soul that tells the story of that being. When I work, I do the eyes of the image first so the being comes alive with a personality and story and then the rest supports that being.
15. If you could have a studio anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Well, I think any of us could have a studio anywhere in the world if we wanted it bad enough. I am blessed to have a studio in our small farm that makes me happy. I share our farm with my husband, our two horses, three dogs and multiple cats. Our farm inspires me and hopefully, brings out the best in me.
“Playboy Stanley” by Mitzi Bernard
“Miss Conception” by Mitzi Bernard